WLP011 European Ale Yeast

Brewed using this strain as I guessed it would ferment happy at a very low temperature to create a very clean beer. I was right. 2 weeks fermentation on a 1.046 Kolsch at 57 degrees, finished very clean, very clear, and very delicious. I was nervous, as it took about 60 hours to see activity in the fermenter. (almost 48 hours to see activity in a 1.030 starter) Never really got crazy active, but it fermented, flocculated, and attenuated very well. Finished dry - perfect for the style!

I used this with a 1.065 OG Pumpkin Ale with fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove. The pumpkin and spice flavors come through very nicely. The beer came out very clear. I will definitely use this again when I brew spice and/or pumpkin ale again. I intend to brew pumpkin ales along with making pumpkin pies from fresh pumpkins an annual fall ritual.

Had reservations about using this yeast for my first Red Ale, but it came out fantastic-- a real winner! I did not use a starter and sweated bullets for three days waiting for fermentation to begin. Then it took another three weeks to finish. Very slow, but man it's worth the wait! Will use again. I will use a starter next time. (OG was 1.059)

I used this strain in a biere de garde on a whim. It produced a malty ale with little tartness or spiciness, which is just perfect for the style. I am very pleased with it and will use it again for this beer style.